New pathway coming to York Harbor

YORK, Maine — A planned path under the Route 103 bridge will connect the Wiggley Bridge causeway to the Fisherman’s Walk along York Harbor.

Susan Morse

YORK, Maine — A planned path under the Route 103 bridge will connect the Wiggley Bridge causeway to the Fisherman’s Walk along York Harbor.

Both pathways are located on opposite sides of Route 103.

Voters approved $150,000 in funding for the project in 2010. Another $150,000 is available this year through a Small Harbor Improvement Program matching grant, according to Department of Public Works Director Dean Lessard.

The project is intended to make it safer for pedestrians to access both paths without having to cross, and walk for a short distance, on Route 103. Vehicles on the straight-away often exceed the speed limit, Lessard said.

The new stone walkway will begin at causeway, go along but below the western side of the Route 103 bridge and go underneath it to connect directly to the Fisherman’s Walk. Pedestrians can then use the Fisherman’s Walk along the harbor to access Harbor Beach and the Cliff Walk.

In addition to the walkway, the town is constructing a float to launch kayaks and other hand-carried watercraft. SHIP grants are tied to water access, Lessard said.

On Feb. 10, in a 4-1 vote, the Board of Selectmen authorized the town manager to sign the SHIP agreement with the Maine Department of Transportation to secure the $150,000 in state funds.

Selectman Kinley Gregg voted against. Gregg raised concerns of parking, saying there are only five parking spaces on Route 103 at the Wiggley Bridge causeway and all are limited to permit-parking, meaning they are not available to non-residents or property owners. Also, no one was going to carry a kayak from the parking space to the launch area an estimated 100-yards away, she said.

Gregg also questioned the cost, which was originally estimated at $493,000.Lessard said savings were realized in using less expensive materials.

Selectmen Scott Fiorentino and Torbert Macdonald praised Lessard for getting the grant and others, which have saved taxpayers money.

The new pathway was proposed to be done at the same time as the Route 103 bridge was being rebuilt two years ago. Lessard said the state’s environmental permits would not allow for additional disturbance.

The town also needs to go through a state and federal permitting process, and also get input from the Harbor Board, according to Lessard. The state funds are available this year for a construction date yet set.

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